Curriculum

Infant Centre ERO Review

To the Parents and Community of Next Generation Childcare Co Ltd

These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Next Generation Childcare Co. Ltd.

Next Generation Childcare Co Ltd provides high quality care and learning opportunities for children under two years of age. Since the 1999 ERO review the licensee has become the sole owner of the centre and taken on a more managerial role. This has enabled her to review centre operations and to develop effective systems that assist and support staff to deliver quality education and care to children.

The licensee and staff work hard at providing professional, holistic are in a nurturing and safe environment. The small size of the centre and the close relationships that have been formed with parents enable staff to know children well and enable children to be familiar with the centre and routines. Parents comment positively on the family atmosphere, the opportunities to be involved in centre activities and the well-balanced programme.

Younger and older children play confidently with each other in a well-planned and resourced environment. They are cooperative and engage positively with teachers. Teachers provide a variety of learning opportunities that support children’s physical, imaginative and creative learning. Centre programmes are closely aligned to Te Whariki, the early childhood curriculum. Learning outcomes are appropriately linked to the Statement of Desirable objectives and Practices (DOP’s).

The centre operates in a two-level renovated home. It is well maintained, secure and attractively presented. The centre is well equipped, and considerable thought has gone into the changes necessary to assist the centre to operate effectively.

This review evaluates the quality of education provided for children and considers preparation that the centre is making to meet the qualification requirements that come into effect in 2005. This report finds that the licensee has continued to provide a high quality professional service for children and their families.

Future Action

ERO is confident that the service is being managed in the interests of the children. Therefore ERO will review the service again as part of the regular review cycle.

When ERO has reviewed an early childhood centre we encourage the management to inform their community of any follow up action they plan to take. You should talk to the management or licensee if you have any questions about this evaluation, the full ERO report or their future intentions.

If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website, http://www.ero.govt.nz

Childcare Centre

To the Parents and Community of Next Generation Childcare Co Ltd

These are the findings of the Education Review Office’s latest report on Next Generation Childcare Co. Ltd.

Next Generation Childcare Co Ltd is one of two centres operated by the licensee. The centre is located in a converted home situated in a residential area. Staff provide interesting and stimulating programmes in a welcoming homely environment.

Teacher’s interactions with children are caring and respectful. Children are settled confident and happy in the centre. Routines are flexible and focused on meeting the individual needs of the child. Mat times are highly interactive and both teachers and children are enthusiastic participants. Photographs of children attending and those who have left, many of whom are siblings, are displayed and foster a sense of belonging and familiarity. The vibrant presentation of children’s artwork reflects the value teachers place on creative processes. Children demonstrate a strong sense of wellbeing and ownership in the centre.

Children play co-operatively and often collaboratively together. Literacy and numeracy concepts are integrated into the programme, and teachers skillfully capitalize on opportunities to include science, literacy and numeracy concepts into discussions and activities. Children confidently initiate and participate in sustained conversations with adults. Staff extend conversations with questions and comments that often incorporate the teachers’ very good knowledge of children’s family backgrounds. Children frequently read books with their peers with their peers and with their teachers who model a passion and enjoyment of reading. Creativity is valued and encouraged by teachers. They provide a wide variety of resources for art and tactile play. Children and teachers demonstrate a shared and enthusiasm for fun and learning.Children confidently select from a wide range of accessible equipment and resources. They determine their involvement and participation in activities and group scenarios. Teachers are enthusiastic and committed to providing a wide variety of learning opportunities. They support and extend child-initiated play. They should now consider developing strategies to increase opportunities for children to extend their won collaborative and complex play. Teachers could also consider increasing the use of questioning techniques that promote children’s problem solving, reasoning and negotiation skills in play scenarios. This should enrich children’s learning and enhance existing good practices.

The centre is well managed with effective self-review systems. Staff report favourably on the supportive management style, particularly in the area of professional development. Teachers have worked with the Educational Leadership Project to improve curriculum management systems. The licensee and teachers have a strong commitment to ongoing improvements for children and to professional development.

This report focuses on the quality of education provided for children and the quality of self-review procedures used in the centre. It identifies areas of good performance and outlines areas for improvement. It recommends that the centre continue with planned professional development and identifies ways in which the licensee could enhance the centre’ss planning, documentation and programme implementation.

Future Action

ERO is confident that the service is being managed in the interests of the children. Therefore ERO will review the service again as part of the regular review cycle.

When ERO has reviewed an early childhood centre we encourage the management to inform their community of any follow up action they plan to take. You should talk to the management or licensee if you have any questions about this evaluation, the full ERO report or their future intentions.

If you would like a copy of the full report, please contact the school or see the ERO website.